Category: Basic Guides for Newcomers to Germany

Culture shock. It happens to everyone. Well, everyone living in a new country, anyway. I definitely experienced my fair share during my first few months in Germany. Are you planning a move to Deutschland as well? Nothing beats experience, but with a little preparation, you can make your own move to Germany go as smoothly as possible. Here are some…Continue Reading

If you’re in Germany in December, visiting a Christmas Market (Weihnachtsmarkt) should be one of your top priorities. It doesn’t matter if you’re a tourist, an expat who has already been here for a few years, or a native German. You need to go! Why? Well, they’re easily the best part of German culture; that’s why. For those who don’t know,…Continue Reading

At first glance, supermarkets in Germany seem quite similar to their American counterparts. Grocery stores like Real and Rewe look just like any Kroger or Meijer back in my home state of Michigan. Aldi looks a lot like, well…Aldi. Sure, sometimes the layout may be a bit different, but it’s basically the same, right? In many ways, yes. There are…Continue Reading

Learning German can be quite difficult. It can also be really boring if you spend the entire time with your nose in a textbook. One of the best tools for learning a new language, besides speaking it regularly, is consuming media in your target language. When you’re just starting to learn, merely hearing how the words sound is helpful, even…Continue Reading

I try to ride my bike every day, for at least a half hour. Lately, with it being so cold, it’s been hard to find the motivation. Usually, the “motivation” finds me in that I have an errand to run and my bike is my only means of transport. For my first six months in Germany, I could drive here…Continue Reading

Are you considering a long-term move to Germany? If your spouse is German, and you are from an English-speaking country, this guide is for you. Here, I will detail the steps needed for Aufenthaltserlaubnis (temporary residency), which will allow you to live and work for three years in Germany. At first, getting all of the paperwork in order may seem a little…Continue Reading